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Taking Charge of Your Health
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 Health
care consumers who ask the right questions and are active in making
decisions save money and improve the quality of care they receive.
But knowing the right questions to ask can be difficult in today's
complex health care system.
This page discusses different types of oxygen systems that are available
and what questions to ask when looking for the system that best
serves your needs.
Only patients with blood oxygen levels below critical levels will
benefit from home oxygen. This means that some determination of
arterial oxygen level must be made by the prescribing physician
before oxygen can be rationally prescribed.
Types of Oxygen Systems Available to You
Concentrators
About the size of a window air-conditioner, these devices run by
electricity and do not need to be refilled. They effectively concentrate
the oxygen already existing in the room air by eliminating the nitrogen
component.
- Suitable for low-flow prescriptions (not exceeding 4-5 liters
per minute)
- Dependable
- Easy to operate
- Requires regular service checks
Liquid Systems
A thermos-like tank (about 40" tall) filled with liquid oxygen.
When oxygen is liquid, 860 times as much oxygen can be stored in
the same amount of space, at much lower pressure, than in high pressure
tanks. The liquid oxygen is converted to gaseous oxygen within the
reservoir for breathing. A smaller lightweight portable unit can
be filled off the reservoir so you can take the oxygen with you
when you leave home. Liquid oxygen is especially good for active
people who need to be out of the home on a frequent basis.
Liquid systems are:
- Suitable for frequently mobile patients, and/or high-flow need
patients (above 4-5 liters per minute)
- No electrical costs to patient
- Regular refills necessary
High Pressure Tanks
Available in various sizes, gaseous oxygen is pressurized and placed
in steel or aluminum cylinders, then released through a regulator.
- Suitable for low oxygen usage (such as for emergency or occasional
use, occasional portability)
- Can be stored for long periods of time
- Careful storage is important so that the cylinder cannot fall
over
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